Deck the Halls: Classic Holiday Décor Meets Indian Inspiration

When it comes to holiday décor you can infuse the gracious art of Indian living into your modern-day Western home to create a sophisticated space that reflects your personal style. Festivity is the theme of the celebrations and there’s no end to the creative combinations of materials, textures, and colours to give your home that holiday sparkle.

Bold and Beautiful

“Colour is an important factor of Indian décor; it’s the one element that ties every state together and unifies many subcultures in India,” says Ray James, Pakistan-born owner of Vancouver’s Durga Interiors, an authentic shop of antique furnishings, home décor and textiles from India. “In the West, colour has become synonyms with Indian culture so we’re known throughout the world as using liberal amounts and combining them together. Red is a mainstream colour in the Indian palette and during the holidays there’s always some shade of red and pink, as well as gold, blue, yellow, and orange throughout home decor.” “Fun, small decorative pieces and accessories, for example, colourful ceramic and wooden elephants and horses, are not necessarily limited to something looking traditionally Indian (except for the bold colours), but make for a subtle fusion of cultures,” explains James.

Embroidered and embellished tree ornaments add pizzazz and range from beads, metals, tassels, and fabrics to garlands made of mesh, crinkle fabric, and tinsel. Intertwine fruits, feathers, pine cones and mini glass ornaments throughout garland for a designer look. Include different shades, shapes and textures for visual appeal. “It’s customary to infuse a lot of reds and gold’s with glitter and jewels for an Indian inspired décor,” says Kashmir Dhaliwal, a certified senior staging consultant with Fine Redesign Home Staging & Decor Inc., a full service home staging company in Langley. “Embroidered textiles and textured pieces can be used in cushions and table runners, and for a custom look, you can also frame fabric.” Metallic’s can easily illuminate any room, especially gold accents, which virtually pop against black’s and grey’s.

Centre of Attention

Dress-up your table with seasonal foliage to set the scene for a festive meal. Think evergreens, winter flowers, and poinsettias for a special centrepiece. “Diyas are used in Diwali but can also be used in the holidays too,” says Dhaliwal. “A collection of candles on a silver tray sprinkled with flower heads makes for a colourful and fragrant piece.”

Aromas of baked gingerbread, mulled wine, and pine can often be holiday staples, however, for an exotic twist infuse a signature scent allied with India. “Essential oils, such as the vintage Indian Rose, and traditional frankincense, which is very popular in Rajasthan, can be used in diffusers throughout the home,” says James.

Let it Glow, Let it Glow, Let it Glow 

Replace your existing holiday lights with LED (light emitting diode) strings for an eco-friendly season. LEDs use 80 to 90 percent less energy than conventional sets. “You can hook up as many strings as you want and they still won’t take up the energy of one incandescent strand,” says Fiona Wilson, department supervisor, Home Depot. While white lights make for a traditional look, consider fuchsia-coloured floodlights to add a vibrant, modern look to your outdoor display.

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By Tracey Rayson